Ottawa’s Legacy of Leadership
Since 1857, Ottawa’s business leaders have come together through the Board of Trade to shape our city. They championed the infrastructure that connected us, the industries that employed us, and the innovation that defined us. From the earliest days of Confederation to the rise of our tech sector, progress in Ottawa has always been powered by a simple truth: when business leaders unite, our city thrives.
Today, that legacy continues. The Ottawa Board of Trade (OBOT) is the independent, member-based voice of business in Canada’s capital region. We bring entrepreneurs, executives, and community leaders together to influence smart decision-making at every level of government, foster collaboration, and drive prosperity for everyone.
A City at a Crossroads
Ottawa is once again at a turning point. Post-pandemic recovery, federal downsizing, housing and affordability challenges, and the reimagining of our downtown core will shape the future of our economy and our quality of life for decades to come. These challenges can also be opportunities, but only if we choose to lead.
Thriving cities don’t happen by accident. They are built when leaders step up, align around a shared vision, and champion bold ideas. OBOT is the mechanism that galvanizes Ottawa’s business community to ensure our capital remains affordable, inclusive, sustainable, and globally competitive.
From Advocacy to Impact: Why This Matters to Your Business
At OBOT, our advocacy isn’t abstract, it is thoughtfully designed to deliver direct results for your business:
- A stronger economy means more customers: Every policy win we champion whether on taxes, trade, or downtown revitalization creates more demand for local goods and services.
- Affordable, liveable Ottawa means better talent: By shaping policies on housing, transportation, and infrastructure, we help attract and retain the skilled workforce your business depends on.
- Efficient and competitive markets mean lower costs: When OBOT advocates to reduce red tape and barriers, we’re creating savings and new opportunities for members.
- A thriving downtown means visibility and connections: Our work to reimagine Ottawa’s core supports businesses of every size, from storefronts to professional services.
- Championing city-building initiatives: Our commitment to innovative investments and shared vision, like downtown transformation, contribute to a vibrant legacy for future generations.
Membership ensures you’re not just watching change happen – you’re leading it and benefiting from it.
Why Join Now
When you join OBOT, you are not only investing in your business, but you are also stepping into the tradition of city builders who make Ottawa stronger. Membership connects you directly to:
- Influence: Shape public policy and advocate for the conditions your business needs to succeed.
- Connections: Gain access to decision-makers, potential clients, and collaborators across every sector.
- Growth: Leverage professional development, visibility, and partnerships that open doors to new opportunities.
Above all, you gain a seat at the table where the future of our city is being decided.
This is the Moment
Ottawa’s time is now. The decisions we make today will determine whether our city leads or lags in the years ahead. OBOT members are at the heart of those decisions, bringing forward the ideas, the investment, and the leadership that build prosperity for all.
Join the Ottawa businesses already united through OBOT. Add your voice to our collective, continue the legacy of leadership, and help make Canada’s capital a world-class city where residents, businesses, and visitors thrive.
Become a member today at ottawabot.ca. Because a stronger Ottawa means better businesses and together, we can make it extraordinary.
